I’ve been doing a tiny bit of research on the background of famous Christmas carols, and I thought I would share some of what I find here.

The melody to Joy to the World can be attributed to both George F. Handel and Lowell Mason. Lowell Mason published “Joy to the World” in Occasional Psalms in 1836. In that publication, he marked it “Arr. from Handel.” It is suggested that Lowell Mason brought together two melodic phrases from Handel’s Messiah.

1. The opening of “Lift up your heads” is a descending scale with a similar rhythym as the opening of “Joy to the World.”
2. The line “And Heaven and Nature Sing” shares the same melody as the first measures of the accompaniment to the tenor aria “Comfort Ye My People.”

I tried to find a picture of the actual phrases to show you what I’m talking about, but couldn’t. You’ll just have to take my word for it!

Instead, here is a youtube video of Mannheim Steamroller performing “Joy to the World” Because…who doesn’t like Mannheim Steamroller?